Biz Beat 6-13-2013

Eugene lawyers Bill Gary and Sharon Rudnick, along with UO General Counsel Randy Geller, have had a complaint filed against them with the Oregon State Bar by UO economics professor Bill Harbaugh, according to a June 10 blog post by Nigel Jaquiss of Willamette Week. The complaint, writes Jaquiss, accuses Gary and Rudnick of “misleading Marion County Judge Thomas Hart about the value of legal services their firm Harrang Long Gary Rudnick provided in a public records battle with the Oregon Department of Justice.” The lawyers deny any wrongdoing, of course, claiming $550 an hour for Dave Frohnmayer’s time as an attorney for Harrang Long was not excessive in this case. Find the story at wweek.com. 

We hear Eugene Coffee Company at 18th and Chambers is closing its retail store June 7 after five years, but plans to open elsewhere later. Meanwhile, owner Sue Harnly says she is organizing classes on “Barista Basics” in June and July for high school kids and adults to learn about the coffee shop business, earn a food handler’s card, get job-hunting advice, pick up some transferable skills and maybe have some fun. Cost is $250. Call 954-5345 or email eugenecoffeeco@gmail.com. 

The Whiteaker Farmers Market is now open from 11 am to 3 pm Sundays in the courtyard at New Day Bakery and World Café at 449 Blair Blvd. Local produce along with goat cheese, nuts, beans and grains. Email newdaybakery@comcast.net. 

Growler Nation is a new “craft beer fill station” scheduled to open Saturday, June 8, at 440 Coburg Road near Café 440. Owner is John Stanford.

We ran into Greg Gassner, Ph.D., of Eugene, who is offering free seminars on sports psychology (using imagery to improve performance) and is publishing a monthly newsletter. Gassner is a four-time All-American athlete in track and field, competed on the U.S. National team in hammer throw, was a college track coach and counselor and instructor at West Point. Get on his mailing list or get personal training by calling 606-9470 or email drggfit11@gmail.com. 

Protected bike lanes are good for local businesses nearby, according to a new study by the New York Department of Transportation. “Public streets are about more than just moving from point A to point B,” says a blog by Mary Lauran Hall at americabikes.org. “Streets are places where locals discover new hole-in-the-wall stores and restaurants, where window shoppers duck into shops to peruse.” The study found that protected bikeways had a significant positive impact in business strength, increasing sales 49 percent in the studied areas where they were installed.

Relief Nursery is planning its first “Revved Up for Kids” car show and poker run starting at 11 am Saturday, June 22, at the Relief Nursery Center, 50 S. 42nd St. in Springfield. To volunteer or otherwise contribute, contact Megan Butler at 343-9706 or email meganbu@reliefnursery.org.

Sunday Streets are coming back July 21 and Sept. 8, and the city will be closing about 3 miles of city streets and adjacent parks for an afternoon of biking, strolling and other physical activities without cars. Each year more people show up and the city is expecting about a crowd of 6,000 this year. Local businesses can participate as sponsors or vendors. Volunteers are alos needed. Contact Larisa Varela at 502-0390 or see sundaystreets@ci.eugene.or.us.